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We all know that buildings don't always turn out like the renderings. Last-minute changes and real-life materials can all cause discrepancies between the vision and reality of a project. In our weekly Flash Forward Friday feature, we take a look at how different projects stack up.
Lendlease and British architectural practice Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners recently celebrated the completion of the International Towers in Barangaroo, an inner-city suburb of Sydney. The three-tower development is the first significant part of the firm's ambitious master plan for Barangaroo South, which is said to be the largest urban renewal project in the city since the 2000 Olympics. The office and retail complex connects Sydney's central business district to the waterfront, with towers of 51, 43, and 40 storeys commanding the most attention.
Construction of the towers began in 2013, with renderings showing the curvilinear trio of highrises, the tallest poised to climb to a height of 217 metres. While each tower would employ a similar form, different coloured vertical and horizontal sunshades would ensure distinct identities. These red, grey, and yellow protrusions have the effect of reducing energy load and minimizing solar heat gain.
The buildings were completed in 2016 and faithfully adopted the architectural vision that was portrayed in the renderings. While the mid-rise residential buildings fronting the development have been given greater individuality, each boasting unique dimensions, massing, and exterior articulation, the towers have been executed according to the original illustrations. Solar panels, rainwater recycling, and ample bicycle parking are just a few of the development's environmental credentials. Across the three towers, there is approximately 280,000 square metres of adaptable and light-filled office space. The International Towers have quickly settled into the Sydney skyline, becoming an instantly recognizable landmark.
We will return next Friday with another comparison!
